a repeat of past times-needed especially now.

At what age do things start to get complicated? When is life no longer about waking up and playing all day until bed? When do our jobs and money start taking over? As we continue to add numbers onto our age does life continue to get more complicated? As a child do we simply accept things the way they are and live contently? Yes, as a human of a younger age we do seem to ask "why" and "how" frequently, but these questions are out of pure curiosity. Do we lose our curiosity, and if so, when? I do not want to be an "old" woman and live my life routinely. Yes, I do love routines and I love order, but I do not want to do the same thing day after day. I want excitement; I want passion; I desire desire. Doesn't everyone? Some people are quite content doing the same things throughout their life. That is the beauty in life; we are all built differently and we all find happiness in different ways of life. I am looking forward to being an 'adult' (whatever that word means). I am excited to have a job. However, I want to live like a child. This does not mean that I want to sleep in and play all day without a care in the world; however, I want to keep my curiosity. I do not want to feel weighed down by life. I want to look back and say "I would not change a thing." As of now, I can say that. I do not believe in regret. Yes, if some things in my life were different it might have been a bit easier and a few tears less, but I would not be where I am standing now if those things had not happened and those tears had not been shed. Lately, a memory has been hitched to my back. **We all ran to my grandma and grandpa as they passed out different sized glass canning jars. The five grandchildren, wide-eyed and hopeful, reached out their arms waiting for the magic catchers to hit their finger tips. Once we each had our own jar we ran outside as fast as our legs would carry us. The farm was huge, but all of us always stayed in the same area of the yard. "I see one!!! I see one!!!!" Five little girls ran around the yard trying to catch the little bits of magic flying through the air. We would never go back inside until all five jars held at least one flickering bug. The five of us stumbled upstairs into our little bedroom and lined our jars on the windowsill. We snuggled into our sheets and watched the magnificent flickers of light until our eyelids grew too heavy. When we awoke we would go out into the yard and release the magic bugs and a wish.** If I could go back to this point in time I would. I cannot imagine how beautiful it must have been for our parents and grandparents to watch their children, nieces, and grandchildren run around the yard with little glass jars in hopes of catching a firefly.

Sunday, October 5th 2008---8:31pm

12:34pm-Take off from home. **wish for a safe, fun and fast trip back to Dordt**

I love being surrounded by trees, colorful leaves, family, and water. Duluth/Cloquet is absolutely gorgeous during this time of the year.

3:00-First corn field

My mother, Becca and I drove up the North Shore on Saturday after watching Rachel kick some butt in soccer.

3:01-I wake up from a nap laughing because I was thinking about channel 4 weather man

I also caught up with Matthew. We went out for supper with his family; I love his family. I feel so comfortable around them. Annika, his youngest sister is ADORABLE!!!

3:37-First smell of Iowa--cows

On Saturday night my mom and I watched "Anne of Avonlie" What an amazing movie; for those of you who do not know, the "Anne" movies are my favorite.

5:31-"Oooohhhh lovely"

My dad was camping in the BWCA this weekend, so it was truly a girls weekend

5:57-First cow (we did see some llamas beforehand though!!!)

The weather was the picture of Fall. I was able to wear scarves and jackets comfortably.

6:00-Becca spit out her coffee due to her laughter about her convincing herself she isn't a slut

Thursday night we ate all together for the first time since mid-August. I think we sat at the table for 2 hours just talking and catching up.

6:01-I ran through a stop sign

Becca and I went to the high school to visit Rachel. We saw our old math and government teachers. It was quite odd being back in that building. All the students are tiny and seem quite angry.

6:44-Pull up to West Hall

The weekend was fast and enjoyable, but it is great to be back.